Top 5 matchups for Week 13 of the 2024 college football season

5. No. 9 Ole Miss at Florida – Saturday, Noon ET, ABC

The SEC doesn’t feature any big-time matchups between ranked opponents in Week 13 for the first time in a while, but some playoff hopefuls face critical road tests, including Ole Miss. The Rebels and Gators will meet for the 26th time on Saturday, 98 years removed from their first matchup. The series is even at 12-12-1, with each team winning three of the six matchups that have occurred since 2002.

Ole Miss is favored by double digits heading to Gainesville and needs a win to keep its playoff hopes alive. The 8-2 Rebels have suffered a pair of three-point losses to Kentucky and LSU but won a couple of big games before their bye week over Arkansas and Georgia. With a home game against Mississippi State next week, a win at Florida would put Ole Miss in great position for a playoff berth. Ole Miss quietly has the 16th-ranked defense in the country, but its No. 2-ranked offense remains its greatest strength as the Rebels put up nearly 540 yards and 40 points per game behind quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Florida just slowed down a similarly potent attack in its best win of the season against LSU. The Gators are just 5-5, but their losses have all come to potential playoff teams: Miami, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia and Texas. The key for the Gators will be keeping things close early as their defense has faltered in several of their losses. It will also be interesting to see how freshman quarterback DJ Lagway keeps up with Dart following a strong outing against LSU. An upset in the swamp is always possible, but it will take a near perfect performance from Florida.